During the month of March, our school had the privilege of hosting two educational institutions—one from Italy and another from Croatia—and of participating in a group student mobility within the framework of the prestigious Erasmus+ programme (photos).
Between 7 and 14 March, IES Vicent Andrés Estellés had the honour of welcoming a group of nine students and three teachers on a job shadowing visit from the Istituto Omnicomprensivo di Alanno (Italy), in order to carry out a range of activities as part of the joint project developed in collaboration with our partner school.
As part of this academic exchange, our 4th-year ESO students will soon undertake their training stay in Italy, from 2 to 9 May, with the aim of continuing the activities included in the project carried out by both institutions.
Subsequently, from 15 to 21 March, students from 3rd and 4th year ESO and 2nd year Bachillerato acted as hosts for a group of students from I.Gimnazija Osijek (Croatia), returning the visit the following week, from 21 to 28 March. The exchange in Burjassot coincided with the Fallas celebrations, allowing participants to enjoy together the traditional events and mascletàs.
As a prelude to this experience, Spanish students acted as hosts, facilitating the immersion of their Italian and Croatian peers into the school’s daily academic life and guiding them on a cultural journey through sites of great significance in Burjassot and Valencia. During their stay, participants attended lessons, explored heritage sites of particular relevance, and improved their communicative competence in English.
From 21 to 28 March, during the student mobility in Osijek (Croatia), IES Vicent Andrés Estellés carried out a series of educational activities focused on connection with nature, sustainability, and local culture. Students took part in various experiences designed to foster active learning and engagement with the natural environment.
On the first day, students visited the school—newly opened in October 2025—guided by their Croatian peers. The day continued with workshops at the school on Spanish and Croatian culture, as well as sustainability.
On 23 March, the group visited the historic centre of Osijek, accompanied by a history teacher who delivered a masterclass on the architecture and history of the city’s most significant monuments.
On 24 March, workshops focused on stereotypes and prejudice. Through the different activities, students became aware of the various biases present in contemporary society.
On 25 March, the group visited the largest horse breeding centre in Europe, located in Đakovo—the State Stud Farm of Lipizzaner Horses—where they learned first-hand how purebred horses are bred and trained for competitions and carriage driving. Afterwards, they visited the Cathedral Basilica of St. Peter, the largest newly built sacred building of Croatian historicism.
On the final day, 27 March, they celebrated School Day, during which the entire student body participated in workshops and sports activities, as it was the last day before the Easter holidays.
These exchanges have provided participants with the opportunity to share educational experiences, attend classes in their respective schools, and gain first-hand insight into the host country’s education system, while strengthening their communicative competence in English. They also enjoyed a valuable cultural exchange, visiting emblematic sites and deepening their understanding of each country’s historical and cultural heritage.
The experience has been profoundly enriching for all the students involved. We would like to express our most sincere gratitude to the families who hosted the Italian and Croatian students in their homes, demonstrating exemplary hospitality. The visiting students returned to their countries very satisfied and deeply moved by the shared experience.
Likewise, our students who travelled to Croatia enjoyed full immersion in another language, culture, and environment, which has allowed them to broaden their horizons, establish new connections, and develop a more open, plural, and tolerant outlook on the world. They have returned with their suitcases filled with learning, experiences, and unforgettable memories that will undoubtedly shape their personal and academic growth.